Galentine's and Valentine's Daze

Galentine's Day coincided with a Vegan Shop-up this year; WHAT COULD BE GRANDER?

Because I'm a Vegan Shop-up professional, I generally arrive at Pine Box and try to buy as much as possible before I hand my card over to the bartender for the day and commandeer a stool amongst my pals.

First pass-through: a coveted chocolate raspberry cake from Sweet Maresa, new subway rider handwash from The Fanciful Fox, and mudslide numero uno (highly recommend).

For breakfast, I started off with a rainbow cookie macaron, also from Sweet Maresa: rainbow cookie professional. I expected it to be amazing, but it was actually astounding.

Next up, my Gone Pie buffet.

It was hard to decide, so I chose a couple of things that I'm sure you'll agree were irresistible.

For starters, this:

Nope, I'm not kidding. That's a real, edible, vegan, "loaded Valentine brownie heart." Gluten-free fudge brownie filled with marshmallows and salted peanuts, topped with peanut butter fudge frosting with a layer of pretzels, dry roasted peanuts, more vegan marsmallows, more frosting, and chocolate hearts. #veganscanteatanything

Also snagged a Gone Pie Mexican hot chocolate brownie topped with marshmallow and hearts...

And, finally, a Gone Pie nut buster pecan cluster.

 

I also picked up this chocolate/strawberry heart specialty from PonyCakesNYC because it's one of VM's favorite combinations.

 

And just like that it was time for lunch! Thankfully, Sean was there repping Riverdel Cheese. He made me this phenomenal sandwich that a certain numbered dog thought was for her. Then she stole her pal's orange garnish to wash it down.

 

Pic of said garnish alongside mudslide #2 before it was stolen:

Unpictured, the Freakin Vegans broccoli cheddar empanada and mac & cheese 89 and I devoured per usual.

She conked out somewhere around  mudslide #3.

And then it was Valentine's Day!

Candy! Rose City Chocolates all hazelnut collection:

Flowers! Sterling roses.

This nerd.

Aaaaand, more grub.
Here's that beautifully wrapped Sweet Maresa cake- even more gorgeous up close. 89 thought this was for her as well.

Also:

Some poorly lit, but delicious Vegan Treats cookies.

Aaaaaaaand, more cake. I have no idea what specific flavors they were, I can only tell you they were beautiful and chocolatey delicious: both.

For dinner, we went out for more Ethiopian food at Desta where I finally had some of their lentil sambusas and they were the best I've ever had.

Entree one:

Entree two:

 

I shared a little.

Of course I brought some injera home for 89.

She got a V-day present.

Aaaaaand, tried to eat my candy. What else is new?

Here's hoping your Gal/Val weekend was great!

Obligatory Vegan Valentine's Day Post

The only thing I like better than dessert is themed dessert.

Valentine's Day isn't particularly spectacular to me in any way (in fact, I really get a kick out of these anti kinds-of-things) aside from my innate appreciation that February is essentially chocolate month...much like Halloween is candy month, and I make out better and better every year.

So, a rundown of my heart-shaped indulgences of late: in order of appearance.

 

For starters, there were the Surf Sweets fruity hearts.  While not chocolate, their innate heartness really won me over and I've yet to utilize them for well-deserved decoration because I just keeping eating them right out of the bag.  Okay, I finished the first bag and bought another; now you know.

Next up was a Valentine's sprinkled donut from Vegan Treats Bakery; I assure you not one additional sprinkle could have fit atop.

Alright, I had a Boston Creme donut too.  It wasn't Valentine's-themed, but it technically wasn't Valentine's Day yet.  Yep, I started early.

Also, not one, but two Valentine's heart cookies from Vegan Treats (neither of which were actually consumed by 89).

In keeping with the theme, next up was some Vegan Treats' chocolate swag.

More stalking.

 

Inside those beautifully wrapped packages: swiss chocolate covered peanut butter cookie stix!

Interior:

89 received plenty of treats of her own, along with some V-day swag.  From me: a donut frisbee and a "pooch smooch."

And another heart and elephant (which she immediately mauled) from my parents.

But wait, there's more.  I came home to quite a bit of V-day swag myself.  Here's 89 trying to climb on the table to investigate.  This is a new trick!

I figured I'd get a shot before I told her it was WRONG to climb on the table.

Better lighting in the kitchen.

89 with her buds (when she wasn't trying to eat them.  She's vegan; she sees greens and she tries to eat them!).

And my sterlings after they'd been de-breathed.

As for the rest of the goods: more Vegan Treats!  Some of my superb faves: raspberry jelly donut, sprinkle donut, chocolate-encased angel's food cake donut, peanut butter-filled chocolate-dipped chocolate cookie, cowboy cookie, heart sugar cookie.

Also some speculoos cups:

And finally, Rose City Chocolates…

vegan assortment!

Believe me when I tell you I just can't bring myself to open this box yet because A) I am stuffed, and B) it will be a race to the bottom of the box.

[UPDATE 2/17/14: it's open and going fast]

Valentine's candy- just like any other candy, can come in all shapes and sizes.  Sometimes it's simply a matter of separating the good from the bad and the ugly.  Hope yours was sweet.